Electromagnetic signaling reflector

Abstract

An electromagnetic signaling reflector includes a housing (30) having an active position and a stowed position. A plurality of reflective surfaces (32) are contained in the housing (30) and the plurality of reflective surfaces (32) form a retroreflector (34). A modulation device (40) is coupled to the reflective surfaces (32).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electromagnetic signaling reflector, comprising: a housing having an active position and a stowed position;   a plurality of reflective surfaces contained in the housing, the plurality of reflective surfaces forming a retroreflector; and   a modulation device coupled to the plurality of reflective surfaces.   
     
     
       2. The electromagnetic signaling reflector of claim 1, wherein the housing is made of a polymeric material. 
     
     
       3. The electromagnetic signal reflector of claim 1, wherein the modulation device vibrates the retroreflector. 
     
     
       4. The electromagnetic signaling reflector of claim 1, wherein the modulation device alters a reflective properties of the retroreflector. 
     
     
       5. The electromagnetic signaling reflector of claim 4, wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces comprise a plurality of conductive surfaces. 
     
     
       6. The electromagnetic signaling reflector of claim 5, wherein the plurality of conductive surfaces are electrically connected together by a plurality of switches. 
     
     
       7. The electromagnetic signaling reflector of claim 6, wherein a length of each of the plurality of conductive surfaces is at an antiresonance length to a search electromagnetic wave. 
     
     
       8. An electromagnetic signaling reflector, comprising: an electromagnetic retroreflector having a plurality of reflective surfaces, each of the plurality of reflective surfaces having a plurality of conductive traces connected together by a plurality of electrical switches; and   a modulator coupled to the electromagnetic retroreflector and controlling the plurality of electrical switches, the modulator electronically altering an amplitude of a reflected electromagnetic wave.   
     
     
       9. The electromagnetic signaling reflector of claim 8, further including a receiver coupled to the modulator and initiating the modulator upon detecting an activate signal. 
     
     
       10. The electromagnetic signaling reflector of claim 8, wherein the electromagnetic retroreflector comprises: a collapsible housing, and   the plurality of reflective surfaces contained in the housing arranged to form an at least one corner reflector.   
     
     
       11. The electromagnetic signaling reflector of claim 8, wherein one of the plurality of electrical switches is placed at intervals antiresonant to a search electromagnetic wave.